(Ottawa – April 28, 2020) The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) stands with unions and employee associations across the country to observe this year’s National Day of Mourning in recognition of workers killed or injured on the job.

Nearly five million workers in Canada have been deemed essential during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a number of frontline workers already losing their lives to the virus. The crisis has starkly revealed inequities in our workplaces, with many of those who risk their lives daily working for minimum wages, with few benefits, and in insecure positions.

Every employee has a right to safe working conditions, and fair compensation. On this Day of Mourning, CAUT calls on governments and employers everywhere to use the lessons being learned during this extraordinary time to rebuild a more equitable and better world.